We work on the principle that pets are loved members of the family. Meet the team who will be caring for your beloved pets while at Toowoomba Family Vets.
Veterinarians
Dr Louis
Gilshenan
Veterinarian
Louis Gilshenan is a dedicated veterinarian with 20 years experience in general practice. Louis grew up in the Toowoomba region and is now raising his three children with his wife Julie and the family Labrador Barney.
Favourite Animal: Double Breasted Cassowary 🪽
Weekend Hobby: Amateur Stand Up 🎤
Pets: Barney (Choc Lab) 🦮
Dr David Hall
Veterinarian
David Hall is passionate about the wellbeing of beloved family pets. With extensive emergency and critical care experience he believes in providing the best patient care 24/7.
Favourite Animal: Hermit Crab 🐚
Weekend Hobby: Crochet 🧶
Pets: Sasha (GSD) and Alfie (JRT) 🦮
Dr Megan Allen
Veterinarian
Megan graduated from James Cook University in 2018 and has been with our team since the end of 2021. Megan spent her early years practicing vet in the UK and her favourite part of being a vet is having the opportunity to work up cases from the consult all the way to performing surgery.
Favourite Animal: Elephant Seal 🦭
Weekend Hobby: Milking her Goats 🐐
Pets: Bonnie and Tilly 🦮 and Sid 🐈
Rudi Spierling
Veterinarian
Rudi is a true local boy, growing up on a flower farm in Gatton and attending TGS. He graduated from UQ Gatton in 2021, and joined the team here in 2023.
Favourite Animal: Sloth 🦥
Weekend Hobbies: Playing and watching sports ⚽️
Pets: 7 Chickens 🐔
Dr Arna Stariha
Veterinarian
Arna graduated from UQ Gatton in 2022 and has since been caring for pets and their families in the Darling Downs.
Favourite Animal: Anaconda 🐍
Weekend Hobby: Jackarooing 🐴
Pets: Izzy and Luna (Border Collies) 🦮
Dr Megan Du Toit
Veterinarian
Meg graduated from the UQ Gatton in 2017 and has been working with us since 2021. Meg loves her interactions with clients and their pets and making them feel like part of our family.
Favourite Animal: Guinea Pig 🐹
Weekend Hobby: Being active 🏃♀️
Pets: Ivy (Choc Lab) 🦮 and Allan (DSH) 🐈
Dr Ellie Burnett
Veterinarian
Ellie graduated from the University of Queensland in 2015 and joined our veterinary team in 2019. Ellie has a keen interest in surgery and is always researching new techniques!
Favourite Animal: Panda 🐼
Weekend Hobby: House Renos 🏡
Pets: Jelly Bean (Corgi) 🦮
Dr Nicole Herd
Veterinarian
Nicole graduated from the UQ Gatton in 2022 and joined us in 2023 to kickstart her veterinary career. Nicole loves to form connections with clients and their pets as well as complex surgeries..
Favourite Animal: Possum 🐿️
Weekend Hobby:
Pets: Cleo (DSH) 🦮
Dr Safiah Mohamad Yusof
Safiah graduated from UQ Gatton in 2023, and started her career down in Lismore. She joined our team in 2025 and enjoys helping pets feel their best.
Favourite Animal: Quokka
Weekend Hobby: Taking her motorbike for a spin 🏍️
Pets: currently none, but desperate for a cat 🐈
Reception
Nikki
Veterinary Liaison
Nikki has been a veterinary nurse for 20 years and an integral part our our team since 2020. Nikki’s favourite part of the job is being able to help sick patients get back home to their families. Nikki is joined at home by her husband and their two sons. To complete their family they have two dogs Stella and Rocco as well as a sassy cat named Sassy!
David
Receptionist
While new to the vet industry, David comes to us with a lifetime of customer service experience in hospitality and tourism. He doesn’t have pets at home (for now!) so is loving being able to connect with our furry patients, making them and their owners feel welcome.
When not at work you’ll find David enjoying growing his vegetable garden.
Amy
Receptionist
Amy is one of our friendly receptionists. With a background in retail and administration, she keeps our front desk running smoothly.
Outside of work, she loves camping, hiking, doing Pilates, and spending time outdoors with her Labrador, Lilly.
Veterinary Nurses
Sophie
Veterinary Nurse Director
Favourite Animal: Sea Turtle 🐢
Weekend Hobby: CaniCross (dry land mushing)
Pets: Atlanta (GSP), Bowser (Rotty x) 🦮 and Adam (DSH) 🐈
Mikaila
Veterinary Nurse
Favourite Animal: Bottle Nose Dolphin 🐬
Weekend Hobby: Reading 📖
Pets: Eddie (Bull Arab) 🦮 and Neo (DMH) 🐈
Phoebe
Veterinary Nurse
Favourite Animal: Elephant 🐘
Weekend Hobby: Reading 📖,
Pets: Percy, Spud and Bensen (Labradors) 🦮, Sven and Olaf (DSH) 🐈
Sarah
Veterinary Nurse
Favourite Animal: Goblin Shark 🦈
Weekend Hobby: Hiking 🥾
Pets: Tilla (Aussie Shepherd) 🦮
Arlie
Veterinary Nurse
Favourite Animal: Frill Neck Lizard 🦎
Weekend Hobby: Triathalons 🏊🏼♀️
Pets: Smokey (Dsh) 🐈 and Coco (Border Collie) 🦮
